Lester makes nifty play, but loses again as Padres top Cubs

San Diego Padres catcher Derek Norris (3), attempts to apply the tag as Chicago Cubs' Dexter Fowler (24), slides safely at home plate on a Jorge Soler single during the first inning of an MLB baseball game Sunday, April 19, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Pau

San Diego Padres' Will Middlebrooks, left, celebrates with teammate Yangervis Solarte (26) in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 19, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/P

Chicago Cubs starter Jon Lester delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, April 19, 2015, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs newcomer Jon Lester made a nifty play with his glove but lost again as the San Diego Padres beat Chicago 5-2 Sunday.

Lester (0-2), who signed a $155 million, six-year contract in the offseason as a free agent, has a 6.89 ERA after three starts.

Lester gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. He alertly tossed his glove — with the ball stuck in the webbing — to first baseman Anthony Rizzo for an out after fielding Clint Barmes' comeback in the second.

Will Middlebrooks and Yangervis Solarte hit two-run homers to help Andrew Cashner (1-2).

Joaquin Benoit pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save. Padres closer Craig Kimbrel got the day off after pitching the previous two days.

Kris Bryant, who made his major league debut on Friday, doubled and was hit by a pitch in going 1 for 3. He is 3 for 10 with one RBI in three games for the Cubs.

Cashner, Brandon Maurer, Shawn Kelly and Benoit finished with three shutout innings. Benoit struck out Jorge Soler with runners on first and second to end the game.

Lester was pulled after 97 pitches in the sixth with runners on first and second and one out. Reliever Brian Schlitter retired the first batter he faced, but gave up a go-ahead single to Will Venable.

Solarte homered off Jason Motte in the seventh.

The Cubs took advantage of two errors by the Padres to score twice in the first.

Padres manager Bud Black was ejected by plate umpire James Hoye in the second after Lester's first pitch to Middlebrooks was called a strike. Black yelled from the dugout and was instantly tossed.

Black walked on the field and talked to Hoye and crew chief John Hirschbeck before heading to the clubhouse. On the next pitch, Middlebrooks tied the game with a long homer, his third of the season.

UP NEXT

Padres: Odrisamer Despaigne (1-0) will try to back up an impressive start against the Diamondbacks with his second start of the season at Colorado on Monday.

Cubs: Jake Arrieta will be making his first start on the road against Pittsburgh on Monday. In two starts, the right-hander is 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA.

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